Japanese GP FP1 telemetry: Yuki Tsunoda close to Max Verstappen with distinct PU settings and driving style. Japanese GP FP1 telemetry analysis based on data from the Red Bull drivers.

First Free Practice Session Data
A good start for Yuki Tsunoda. The Japanese driver, making his debut behind the wheel of the Red Bull at his home track, Suzuka, finished the first free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix just over a tenth behind Max Verstappen.

An encouraging start, especially when looking at the telemetry data, which reveals some interesting details. A graphical comparison of the laps from Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda immediately shows a clear difference in the power unit settings between car #22 and car #1, but the fact that Yuki Tsunoda is currently not far from Verstappen isn’t simply a matter of having more horsepower.

According to data collected from the first free practice session at the 5.807-kilometre Suzuka Circuit, Max Verstappen is faster in corners, but the extra torque delivered by Yuki Tsunoda’s power unit doesn’t provide a major advantage. It seems the Japanese driver is trying a different approach, entering corners earlier and shaping the trajectory to favor corner exit speed.

We’ll see in the next practice session how the comparison within Red Bull evolves between the four-time world champion and the rookie tasked with staying close in lap times to the team’s undisputed leader. So far, he’s managing to do just that.